The Gulf Islands, British Columbia

Salt Spring Island

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Salt Spring Island was first named Admiral Island (circa 1858) by Captain Richards, after his superior officer Rear Admiral Baynes. The local residents of the time insisted on calling it Salt Spring, because of the 14 or 15 natural saline springs that occur on the island. Eventually, the mapmakers renamed it officially. Ganges Harbour was once known as Admiralty Bay.

Salt Spring Island was originally a hunting territory for the Cowichan and Saanich Indians. Part of the Coast Salish Indians, they spoke Halkomelem, and Lekungenung. The first non-native settlers were former black slaves from the United States, and arrived around 1857.

Galiano Island

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Galiano Island is a long, relatively narrow, island of 57 sq km. It is the second largest of the big islands. Galiano has a population of about 1000.

Mayne Island

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Mayne Island was first visited by Captain George Vancouver in 1790. Mayne was named after Lieutenant Richard Charles Mayne

Pender Island

Image via Dale Simonson on flickr

Pender is actually two islands, a North and a South island. Before 1911, the islands were joined by an isthmus.


Saturna

Saturna Island Image from flickr rwhgould

Saturna Island is the most southern of the large Gulf Islands. Go much south of Saturna and you are very soon into American waters.

Other Islands

There are many smaller islands scattered among the big Gulf Islands, including private islands, British Columbia marine parks, and members of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. With the exception of Thetis Island and Penelekut, there is no BC Ferries service to these islands.

Cabbage Island

Cabbage Island is located off of Saturna Island, near Tumbo Island.

Curlew Island

Curlew Island is located right off Mayne Island. It serves as the natural breakwater for Mayne's Horton Bay

D'Arcy Island

D'Arcy Island is located just south of Sidney Island. Named after Lieutenant John D'Arcy, R.N. of The Herald.


Dayman Island

Dayman Island is located beside Thetis Island and Hudson Island. It is about 24 acres in size, and is a private island.

De Courcy Island

De CourcyDe Courcy is located beside Valdes Island, and north of Thetis Island

Gossip Island

Gossip Island is located beside Galiano Island, in the open Georgia Strait, just outside the entrance to Active Pass.

Hall Island

Hall Island all Island is located beside Reid Island.


Hudson Island

Hudson Island is located beside Thetis Island, and Penelekut Island.

James Island

James Island is located beside Sidney Island.

Penelekut Island

Penelekut Island of the First Nations.

Link Island

Link Island is north of De Courcy Island, and south of Mudge Island.


Moresby Island

Moresby Island is just south of Salt Spring. Named after Rear Admiral Fairfax Moresby R.N.

Mudge Island

Mudge lies accross False Narrows from Gabriola Island. It is near the northern end of Valdes Island.

Norway Island

Norway Island is about 30 acres in size, and is located beside Kuper Island.

Link Island

Link Island is north of De Courcy Island, and south of Mudge Island.


Parker Island

Parker Island is located beside Galiano Island

Piers Island

Piers Island is located south of Salt Spring Island, near Portland Island.

Norway Island

Norway Island is about 30 acres in size, and is located beside Kuper Island.

Portland Island

Portland Island is located south of Salt Spring Island, and is near Moresby Island.


Prevost Island

Prevost Island is located between Southern Salt Spring and Southern Galiano

Pylades Island

Pylades Island is located beside Valdes Island, and north of Thetis Island.

Pym Island

Pym Island is located between Portland Island and the Saanich Peninsula of Vancouver Island.

Reid Island

Reid Island is located between Galiano Island and Valdes Island.


Russell Island

Russell Island is located at mouth of Fulford Harbour, and is a member of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.

Ruxton Island

Ruxton Island is located beside Valdes Island, and north of Thetis Island.

Samuel Island

Samuel Island is Samuel Island is about 328 acres in size, is located between Mayne Island and Saturna Island.

Secret Island

Secret Island is located beside Prevost Island. Secret was once owned by David Conover, who also owned Wallace Island.


Secretary Islands

Secretary Islands are two islands located beside Galiano Island, close to Porlier Pass area.

Sidney Island

Sidney Island is located 3 miles from Sidney, and Victoria airport.

Tent Island

Tent Island is next to Kuper Island, is also a Native Persons Reserve..

Thetis Island

Thetis Island Thetis is located north of Salt Spring Island, next to Kuper Island, and can be accessed using BC Ferries.


Tree Island

Tree Island is about 300m off Pylades, and is very small. It is diamond shape, and has several trees on it.

Tumbo Island

Tumbo Island is located on the eastern side of Saturna Island, and is about 120+ hectares in size.

Valdes Island

Valdes Island lies North, across Porlier Pass, from Galiano Island.

Wallace Island

Wallace Island is located next to Galiano Island.


Whaleboat Island

Whaleboat is located off the southeast end of Ruxton Island, and used to be known as Eagle Island or Indian Island.

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